Sunetha's Art inspires

I believe there is beauty everywhere if you only pause to observe.  Specific beautiful moments are also fleeting and momentary,  one has to be quick to grasp and appreciate them before  they are gone.  In an ever changing world  nothing is permanent -  this is a universal law.  However,  although  there is constant change there is beauty in every facet of change. 

In my collection of paintings, I have tried to capture the beautiful  impressions  of  many such fleeting moments to  instill  tranquility & contemplation  and  to connect  people  to nature’s  beauty and rejuvenating powers. (Source http://www.sunethagallery.com/)

This is what Sunetha Kannangara is trying to say through her paintings at Lionel Wendt Gallery on 27th & 28th November, 2010 (9:00 am - 7:00 pm). Yes, the entrance is free. I accidentally step on to her exhibition and found she had a great fundamental in her character. Patience to do good things, and then spread the good will. She had a knack for painting from childhood, which got swept under the carpet of professional working life. Then she emerged from the retirement, to polish her skills, and here she is portraying how a simple idea can help many. In a time, where I see so many senior citizens struggling to cope with the solitude of retirement, Sunetha provides inspiration.

This is what she's telling in her website

The net proceeds from my art work will be used to support charitable projects in my 'HeART : Art for Social Responsibility' program.  Currently, there are three projects in this program.

• Scholarships : This project provides scholarships to needy students.  Currently, four students from Moneragala and two from Colombo are scholarship recipients.  I plan to increase the number of scholarships offered and to increase the present scholarship stipend to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

• Home for Intellectually Challenged Adults : This project provides support to a group Home located in Kegalle, Sri Lanka.  I plan to provide additional safety facilities to this Home.
  
• Animal Welfare : This project provides support to The Animal Welfare & Protection Association (AWPA) rescue, sterilization and vaccination  programs and for the maintenance of the animal shelters.  I plan to help AWPA with urgently needed funds to support these programs. 

Sunetha inspired my wife, Muditha, who also had painting skills to GET BACK to the drawing board. I asked her " any advise when someone starting over something they were good at?".

" Just start sketching something, a tree, a bird, and let the sketch guide you " She said with a smile.

Sunetha with Muditha, at the exhibition

She said to me that she was waiting to meet someone from  Sarvodaya to complement her work. I did that by connecting her with Bianca, Director, Sarvodaya Suwasetha. And I am hopeful for a synergy.

Thanks Sunetha, for the lovely evening, through your paintings !

" Guzaarish " - A movie (mind) Review

A 'Guzaarish' wall paper courtesy guzaarishthefilm.com

Yesterday through some evening rain, I found shelter at Liberty Cinema, for the 7 PM screening of Sanjay Leela Bansali's new venture - " Guzaarish (a request)". I was consuming time, till my wife returns from her annual school staff trip. She phoned me, and it will be midnight when they return.2 things: First time in many years, I am watching a movie with out my wife, and I have to consume time. Both reasons were good enough to enjoy the movie. And it turns out 19th Novemeber (day beofore) world wide release was a perfect timing for my woes.

The film was good: yes, anticipated Devdas type choreography, nice camera work, soothing music (I loved the score by Sanjay Leela Bansali), the splendor of Goa, chemistry of Hrithik and Aishwarya. Yes, it was a good movie: about life, its' gift, and its' unpredictability. Life is short, have no regrets, love your loved ones, forgive and be free, those were the messages spelled out from the movie. I am not going to give you the plot. But if you so insist click here for wikipidea. And below is the trailer.



And further down the post you will find the trailer for "The Sea Inside", the spanish movie 'INSPIRED' Sanjay Leela Bansali, though he never mention that, neither in his website nor in interviews.



I have to admit, by the time the movie was over, a tinge of love crept in to my heart, and I was waiting for my wife to return.

3 Ways to Cultivate Your Proactive Brain

pic courtesy: bowdoindailysun.com

Lot of folks ask the question of how to calm the mind, because we are living in a crazy busy world. And that is true. Meditation is the only method I have come across that touches base with my mind, and it refreshes the whole outlook of things.
And then I come across this 'Management Tip of the Day' from Harvard Business Review.
Though the facts remain true, you have to be cautious to input only the information you really need. Remember the real effect of mind comes from spaciousness. So in work, if you feel overwhelmed, take a break. Go around, see some plants, wonder across the sky, and take a ball toss it to the wall. Then comeback and get-back to where you have left. For full article click here.

Studies have shown that a good memory helps you better navigate the future. And in business, anticipating and negotiating future demands is an asset. A proactive brain uses details from past experiences to make analogies with your current surroundings. It then helps you determine where you are and envision future possibilities. We are all born with proactive brains, but these three things can help improve brain performance:

1. Give it a lot to work with. Create a richer pool of information to draw from. Expose your brain to diverse experiences and situations.
2. Borrow from others. Find out as much as you can about others' experiences by talking, interacting with, and reading about other peoples' lives.
3. Let your mind wander. Undisturbed time gives your brain the space it needs to recall and recombine past experiences in ways that help you anticipate the future.